HealthDiseases and Conditions

How does pulmonary edema occur: symptoms

Pulmonary edema, the symptoms of which we consider in this article, develops, as a rule, suddenly, due to the accumulation of fluid in this organ.

This pathology is caused by the transition of the liquid part of the blood from the vessels penetrating the lungs into the pulmonary alveoli. The reason for this is, mainly, increased pressure in the vessels or is the result of a decrease in the protein level in the blood. The lungs in such cases lose their functional ability.

Diseases that cause pulmonary edema: symptoms

Increased pressure in the vessels is provoked by cardiovascular diseases (myocardial infarction, mitral valve defects ), the formation of a blood clot obstructing the pulmonary artery, or the development of severe pneumonia, pleurisy, bronchial asthma and allergies. Diseases of the liver, such as cirrhosis, or kidneys (uremia), lead to a decrease in the level of protein in the blood, and accordingly, and to pulmonary edema.

Pulmonary edema: symptoms of pathology development

Most often, edema occurs at night (this is due to lying position). But sometimes it happens and just at rest. There is a sharp shortness of breath, which has nothing to do with physical activity.

Consider the main symptoms of the disease.

  • The sick person discovers a sharp shortage of air. Because of lying almost impossible to breathe, he takes a forced position sitting.
  • Breathing becomes more frequent, becomes superficial and noisy. Clinked sounds can be heard from a distance.
  • The palpitation increases.
  • The skin becomes cyanotic, sweat protrudes, and veins swell in the neck.
  • A strong cough is accompanied by the appearance of pinkish foam and pronounced wheezing.
  • The pressure rises.
  • Pulse - filiform, weak.
  • It is possible to turn off consciousness.

Pulmonary edema: emergency care before the arrival of doctors

The attack develops very quickly, so it is important not to lose time to understand the situation and provide the necessary help to the patient, since the risk of death in these cases is very high.

  1. Immediately call the ambulance.
  2. Before the arrival of doctors, help the patient to get up and sit down, necessarily dangling their legs down. This reduces the pressure in the pulmonary vessels.
  3. Open the windows, providing access to fresh air.
  4. If possible, remove the mucus from the patient's airway.
  5. On the extremity, apply tourniquets, which reduce blood vessel filling. To make sure that this is done correctly, check the pulse on the artery below the bandage: it should be probed. You can lower the patient's legs in a basin with hot water or wrap them with a cloth soaked in hot water.
  6. If the arrival of doctors is delayed, give the patient a gauze impregnated with alcohol or vodka, and tell them to breathe through it, this will help to reduce the amount of emitted foam.

Medical help for swelling of the lungs

The actions of the physicians from the arrived ambulance brigade will be aimed at reducing the excitability of the respiratory center (for this, morphine is usually injected), relieving the load from the small circle of blood circulation (dropper with nitroglycerin) and lowering blood pressure (strong diuretics). With the formation of a persistent foam that can block air through the airways, oxygen inhalation with vapors of ethanol is done.

Pulmonary edema, the symptoms of which we have considered, do not arise just like that. It is a sign of a severe course of the underlying disease, against which this pathology develops. Therefore, in order to avoid mortal danger, timely treatment and identification of the reasons that can lead to this, compliance with a salt-free diet, a reduction in the amount of fluid consumed and the exclusion of physical exertion causing shortness of breath. Follow all the recommendations of your doctor and be healthy!

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